Arbor Day began in the United States in 1872. The name arbor comes from the Latin feminine noun arbor, which means simply “tree.” This holiday is designed to encourage individuals and groups to plant and care for trees. Though it began in America, it is now celebrated around the world on various dates, depending on climate and suitable planting season. It usually happens in spring.

Arbor Day was the brain child of one Nebraskan pioneer named J. Sterling Morton. He and his wife loved nature, and after moving to Nebraska planted dozens of trees, shrubs and flowers on their land. As a journalist, Morton worked his way to become editor of Nebraska’s most influential newspaper. He used his weekly column as a sounding post to encourage Nebraskans engage in agriculture for more than just crops. Morton recognized that trees were not only a valuable source of oxygen, but also an important part of landscaping, as they were useful for windbreaks to keep soil in place and as shade from the hot sun.

Eventually Morton became the Secretary of the Nebraskan Territory, which he used as an opportunity to enact further awareness about the importance of trees. In January of 1872, he proposed a holiday devoted to planting trees. The date was set for April 10. The State Board of Agriculture offered prizes to counties and individuals who properly planted the most trees on that day. History estimates that on the first Arbor Day in Nebraska, more than one million trees took root.

The Indiana State Museum’s Arbor Day celebration offers a range of activities related to trees. Indianapolis kids can investigate dendrochronology in the R.B. Annis Naturalist Lab. Get dirty and test your Arbor Day knowledge. Plus, forestry experts from Purdue University will be on hand to field questions. After that, grab a shovel and help the Indiana State Museum plant a new redbud in their redbud grove.

Information will be available about ways to get involved with beautifying the Indianapolis community through proper tree care. Then explore all the various avenues of tree study, research opportunities and event artistic uses for wood. Plus, Indianapolis businesses and Indianapolis nonprofit organizations will showcase information about the breadth of tree related industries. Also, don’t miss the proclamation from the Mayor’s office to honor Indianapolis as a “Tree City USA.” For twenty years running, the Circle City has been honored with this distinction on Arbor Day.